Student Finance Guide: University of Alberta Edmonton 2026

Tuition at University of Alberta

University of Alberta charges domestic undergraduate tuition ranging from approximately $6,000/year for Arts and Education programs to $9,500/year for Engineering and Business (Alberta School of Business). Science programs fall between $7,000 and $8,500/year. Nursing and Pharmacy are approximately $8,500–$9,500/year. Alberta does not cap tuition increases as strictly as Quebec, but rates remain competitive with Ontario's mid-tier schools.

Ancillary fees (Students' Union, health/dental, athletics) add $1,200–$1,600/year. The U-Pass for Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is bundled in and provides unlimited transit access — valuable in Edmonton's spread-out city geography.

Cost of Living in Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton is one of Canada's most affordable major cities for students. Alberta has no provincial sales tax (GST only, 5%), meaning everyday purchases are significantly cheaper than in BC or Ontario. Housing is particularly affordable relative to income:

• UAlberta residence (Lister Hall and others): $11,500–$14,500/year with meal plan
• Shared house near campus (Garneau, Strathcona): $650–$900/person/month
• 1-bedroom apartment: $1,400–$1,800/month
• Groceries: $380–$520/month (no PST on food)
• Transit (ETS): Included in U-Pass
• Personal + entertainment: $300–$500/month

Total annual living costs in Edmonton: approximately $15,000–$21,000/year.

Student Aid Alberta (SAFA) for UAlberta Students

Alberta students access financial aid through Student Aid Alberta (SAFA), which provides the Alberta Student Grant (income-tested) and the Canada-Alberta Integrated Student Loan. The Alberta Student Grant for low-income students can reach $3,000–$5,000/year. The combined student loan maximum is approximately $16,000/year for independent students and $14,000 for dependent students.

Alberta eliminated interest on provincial student loans in 2022, making the provincial loan portion interest-free from disbursement through repayment — a significant improvement over other provinces.

Part-Time Work and Co-op in Edmonton

Edmonton's economy is anchored by oil and gas, government, tech, and healthcare. Engineering and Geoscience students at UAlberta have access to some of Canada's highest-paying co-op positions through Alberta's resource sector:

• Oil & gas engineering co-op: $25–$55/hr (field and office roles)
• Government (provincial/federal): $19–$26/hr
• Tech (Edmonton's growing sector): $22–$40/hr
• Healthcare/research: $18–$25/hr
• Retail/food service: $17.10/hr (AB minimum wage 2026)

4-Year Cost Summary — UAlberta